STUDY ON CHINA DAMS BRINGS THE BRAHMAPUTRA INTO FOCUS
Why in news? A new study highlighting the impact of China’s dams on the Mekong river has raised fresh questions on whether dams being built on other rivers that originate in China, such as the Brahmaputra, may similarly impact countries downstream. The Mekong flows from China to Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. What the […]
NEET APPLIES TO MINORITY COLLEGES: SC
Why in news? The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is mandatory for admission to medical colleges run by religious and linguistic minority communities, the Supreme Court held on 29th April 2020. The court dismissed arguments made by the managements of several minority-run medical institutions that bringing them uniformly under the ambit of NEET would be a violation […]
INDIA REMAINS ON U.S. PRIORITY WATCH LIST
Why in news? India continues to be on the ‘Priority Watch List’ of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for lack of adequate intellectual property (IP) rights protection and enforcement, the USTR said in its Annual Special 301 Report, released on 29th April 2020. Details India remained one of the most challenging economies for IP enforcement […]
Animal Poaching Registers a Sharp Increase During Lockdown
Why in news? The instances of poaching of wild animals and birds, including the endangered chinkara or Indian gazelle, have registered a sharp increase across Rajasthan during the COVID-19 lockdown, with the hunters taking advantage of slack monitoring and sparse public movement in the remote areas. Armed poachers have been moving inside the national parks and […]
NO IMPROVEMENT IN GANGA WATER QUALITY AFTER LOCKDOWN
Why in news? The lockdown in the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak may have dramatically reduced air pollution across the country but it hasn’t significantly reduced pollution in the Ganga, according to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Details The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, a measure of the amount of free oxygen […]
BRICS SHOULD HELP ENTREPRENEURS: INDIA
Why in news? The Member countries of the BRICS group should assist private entrepreneurs to help them deal with the economic fallout of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, External Affairs Minister said on 27th April during a video conference of foreign ministers. What was emphasized by India in the conference? We need to provide support to businesses, […]
NITI AAYOG QUESTIONS IEP’S TERROR RANKING OF INDIA
Why in news? A report compiled by Niti Aayog has questioned the methodology adopted by an Australian based institute – Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)- to rank India as the seventh worst terrorism affected country. This IEP’s report has put India ahead of conflict-ridden countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, […]
USCIRF DOWNGRADES INDIA IN 2020 LIST
Why in news? The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has downgraded India to the lowest ranking, “countries of particular concern” (CPC) in its 2020 report. India was categorised as a “Tier 2 country” in last year’s listing. This is the first time since 2004 that India has been placed in this category. The […]
UN WARNS OF A ‘HUMAN RIGHTS DISASTER’
Why in news? The UN rights chief warned on 27th April, that countries flouting the rule of law in the name of fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic risk sparking a “human rights disaster”. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called upon countries to refrain from violating fundamental rights “under the guise of exceptional or emergency measures”. […]
STOP VILLAINIZING BATS: SCIENTISTS, CONSERVATIONISTS
Why in news? There have been increasing incidents of the public destroying bat roosts and smoking them out. This is due to unverified news and social media posts linking bats to the COVID-19 outbreak. To raise awareness, 64 CHIROPTEROLOGISTS (THOSE WHO STUDY BATS) from six South Asian countries have released a document clarifying myths about bats and […]